Root canal treatment in Dublin more affordable than ever.

If your tooth is severely damaged, it may be time to consider a root canal. Here’s the full story from someone who’s had one!

Why is it that some dental treatments are regarded as relatively routine and relatively painless, but others seem to be tarred with a completely different brush? I’m talking about root canals, in particular. On a relatively regular basis, you’ll hear someone refer to having a root canal as some sort of shorthand for an experience that’s deeply unpleasant.

Well let’s settle this topic once and for all. Within the last two weeks, I’ve had my first root canal treatment, so I think I’m very well qualified to tell you what’s involved – from a patient’s point of view. And believe me when I tell you that I didn’t feel a thing.

But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s examine why you might need a root canal treatment in the first place. Your dentist may recommend it if a tooth becomes very badly infected or inflamed. It could also be needed if you cracked a tooth in an accident.

Another reason for opting for a root canal is when there’s excessive wear on the enamel section of your tooth. This, in turn, will expose the pulp tissues that lie beneath the enamel (and also a thicker layer which we refer to as ‘dentine’). This pulp contains an amalgamation of blood vessels and nerves – if you want to locate it, it runs from the crown of the tooth down to the roots of the tooth.

How will I know I might need a root canal?

Among the most obvious signs that trouble is looming is a sharp pain – or perhaps an out-of-character sensitivity to heat or cold. You might also be experiencing tenderness or swelling in the gum area – or perhaps the tooth has suddenly become discoloured.

If your dentist decides that a root canal is necessary – based on some or all of the symptoms above – the first thing he needs to do is remove inflamed or infected pulp. He does this my making an opening in the tooth crown, then moulds the root canals into a shape which allows them to be sealed.

He seals them with a substance known as ‘gutta-percha’, and is now ready to restore the tooth to its original appearance by opting for a permanent filling – or perhaps a crown if the cavity is very large.

Is this a permanent solution?

Not alone is this a permanent solution, but it’s also a very important part of your dentist’s toolkit, as it can save a tooth that might otherwise have to be extracted, leaving an unsightly gap.

In my own personal case, I now have a perfectly normal-looking tooth (which is actually a crown) and simply nobody is any the wiser. And while some of the procedures above might seem a tad invasive, I was totally anaesthetised and felt absolutely nothing.

There was some very mild discomfort after the procedure, which was caused by inflammation of tissues around the root canal. A few over-the-counter tablets solved this in double quick time. I was warned against eating anything too hard until I had the crown fitted, but otherwise, it was pretty much ‘business as usual’ once I'd had the root canal.

You’ll also be glad to know that I took my own advice and chose to spread the cost over nine months with MyDental’s 0% Dental Finamce Plan. A root canal cost has come down hugely in recent years, but it was still nice to have the option of spreading the cost over a more manageable period.

The bottom line? If you're considering a root canal treatment in Dublin, take it from someone who’s gone through the procedure and make an appointment as soon as you can with MyDental. I promise you won’t regret it.

Laura Cunningham

MyDental is a full-spectrum dental practice offering the most modern and advanced treatments in functional and cosmetic dentistry. With a commitment to offering an exceptional dental service at an exceptional price, our state-of-the-art purpose-built dental clinic in Dublin 4 offers a relaxed and friendly solution to all your dental needs.

0% Dental Finance

By availing of our 0% Dental Finance, you can enjoy the highest quality dental care at equally affordable rates. You can spread the costs over three, six or nine months, offering you maximum flexibility when it comes to payment. Please ask at Reception for details.